Adhesive joint between a first hollow profile and a second hollow profile

ABSTRACT

A joint connection of a first hollow profile to a second hollow profile, in which the second hollow profile is surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region. A core arranged within the first hollow profile and the second hollow profile in the overlapping region, and connected to the first hollow profile, the core having at least one boundary surface arranged parallel and adjacent to an inner side of the second hollow profile, and the core is connected to the inner side of the second hollow profile via an adhesive.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority 35 U.S.C. §119 to European Patent Publication Nos. EP 13162270.6 (filed on Apr. 4, 2013) and EP 13170285.4 (filed on Jun. 3, 2013), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to an adhesive connection of a first hollow profile to a second hollow profile, in which the second hollow profile is surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region.

BACKGROUND

Connected hollow profiles may be used, for example, in the production of load-bearing structures for motor vehicles, in particular in what is known as the “space-frame” type of construction of bodies.

In order to connect two hollow profiles, it is known to plug one of the hollow profiles into the other and, for example, to weld, clip or adhesively bond the two hollow profiles in the overlapping region. Simple adhesive connections are, however, only moderately reliable, in particular in the case of an imprecise fit or warping of the hollow profiles.

German Patent Publication No. DE 10 2006 044 799 A1 discloses, for example, a body module for a motor vehicle, having a plurality of carrier profiles which are connected together and the carrier ends of which are intended to be plugged into receiving orifices in further carrier profiles adjoining the body module, wherein the carrier ends are assigned to separate bar elements which are held in a movable manner on the associated carrier profile and are intended to be plugged, by being moved with respect to the associated carrier profile, into the respective receiving orifice in the corresponding further carrier profile adjoining the body module. An adhesive connection may be made between the bar element and the associated receiving orifice.

SUMMARY

Embodiments relate to an adhesive connection of a first hollow profile to a second hollow profile, which is easy and cost-effective to produce and yet is reliable.

Embodiments relate to an adhesive connection of a first hollow profile to a second hollow profile, in which the second hollow profile is surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region, a core connected to the first hollow profile is arranged in the overlapping region within the first hollow profile and the second hollow profile, the core has at least one boundary surface which is arranged in a manner substantially parallel and adjacent to an inner side of the second hollow profile, and an adhesive is arranged between the core and the inner side of the second hollow profile.

In accordance with embodiments, a core is used as additional component in the overlapping region of the hollow profiles, the core at least partially reproducing the inner shape of the inner of the two hollow profiles, namely the second hollow profile, such that the core is located, at least regionally, in a substantially parallel manner opposite an inner side of the second hollow profile. In a rectangular hollow profile, this may be, for example, a cuboidal core, and in a circular hollow profile, this may be, for example, a cylindrical core.

In accordance with embodiments, the core and the second hollow profile, particularly also the first hollow profile, may have the same cross-sectional geometry, although the core is formed in a smaller manner than the second hollow profile and the second hollow profile is in turn formed in a smaller manner than the first hollow profile. The boundary surface is “substantially parallel,” since the boundary surface may also be formed in a discontinuous manner or also have a slightly conical shape or a porous/perforated surface.

In this way, at least one additional adhesive surface is provided between the core, connected to the first hollow profile, and the second hollow profile, such that the inner hollow profile, preferably in addition to being adhesively bonded to the first hollow profile on the outer side of the second hollow profile, may also be adhesively bonded to the inner side of the second hollow profile by way of the core.

In accordance with embodiments, the core may have a plurality of boundary surfaces which are arranged opposite, that is to say substantially parallel and adjacent to, a corresponding plurality of inner sides of the second hollow profile, in particular all the inner sides of the second hollow profile, in which adhesive is arranged between the core and the opposite inner sides of the second hollow profile.

In accordance with embodiments, the core is a solid body, and includes in particular of aluminium or of foam material. Such cores may also transfer buckling forces and, particularly a core made of foam material, may in addition effectively damp undesired noise, for example when the hollow profiles are used in a load-bearing structure of a vehicle.

In accordance with embodiments, the core may have a cuboidal, cube-shaped or cylindrical cross-section or shape.

In accordance with embodiments, the core may be secured, such as, for example, mechanically, via a screw-type connection, to a cover or base of the first hollow profile. In this way, a cover or base, which is possibly necessary anyway, of the first hollow profile may also be used to produce the connection with the core, and thus, to provide a space which may be filled with adhesive.

In accordance with embodiments, the core may have a collar, that is to say a widening, which is clamped into the first hollow profile. The collar may be embodied in one piece with the core or may also be formed by a component fixed to the core.

In accordance with embodiments, the core may be embodied as a blow-moulded part, which expands in volume in response to exposure to heat after the adhesive bath has cured, and thus provides acoustic advantages. Thus, in a cold state, the core forms the termination or the boundary for the adhesive bath and on account of the expansion of the core (blow-moulded part or foam), by application of the heat required for curing, sound insulation of the hollow profile is produced.

In accordance with embodiments, adhesive may be arranged between the outer side of the second hollow profile and the inner side of the first hollow profile.

In accordance with embodiments, a method for producing an adhesive connection may include at least one of the following: securing, within a first hollow profile, a core at least temporarily, in an overlapping region, providing an adhesive between the core and an inner side of the first hollow profile, inserting a second hollow profile, outside the core and into the first hollow profile, such that the second hollow profile contacts the adhesive and is surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region, wherein the core has at least one boundary surface which is arranged in a manner parallel to an inner side of the second hollow profile, and the adhesive is arranged between the core and the inner side of the second hollow profile.

In accordance with embodiments, a joint connection may include at least one of the following: a first hollow profile; a second hollow profile surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region thereof; a core arranged within the first hollow profile and the second hollow profile in the overlapping region, and connected to the first hollow profile, the core having at least one boundary surface arranged parallel and adjacent to an inner side of the second hollow profile, wherein the core is connected to the inner side of the second hollow profile via an adhesive.

In accordance with embodiments, a joint connection may include at least one of the following: a first hollow profile having a base extending perpendicular to sidewalls of the first hollow profile; a second hollow profile surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region thereof; a core arranged within the first hollow profile and the second hollow profile in the overlapping region, and connected to the base, the core having at least one boundary surface arranged parallel and adjacent to an inner side of the second hollow profile and a collar which is clamped into the first hollow profile, wherein the core is connected to the inner side of the second hollow profile via an adhesive.

In accordance with embodiments, a method for producing a joint connection may include at least one of the following: arranging a core within a first hollow profile at an overlapping region, and at least temporarily connecting the core to the first hollow profile; arranging an adhesive between the core and an inner side of the first hollow profile; inserting a second hollow profile between the first hollow profile and the core such that the second hollow profile contacts the adhesive, is surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region thereof, at least one boundary surface of the core is arranged parallel and adjacent to an inner side of the second hollow profile, and the core is connected to the inner side of the second hollow profile via an adhesive.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a method for producing an adhesive connection of two hollow profiles, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the method of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a method for producing an adhesive connection of two hollow profiles, in accordance with embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an adhesive connection and a method for producing the adhesive connection, in accordance with embodiments.

The adhesive connection exists between a first hollow profile 1 and a second hollow profile 2, in which the second hollow profile 2 is surrounded by the first hollow profile 1 in an overlapping region thereof. The second hollow profile 2, therefore, is received into the first hollow profile 1.

Arranged in the overlapping region, within the first hollow profile 1 and the second hollow profile 2, is a core 3 which is connected to the first hollow profile 1 via a cover or base 7 and is in the form of a cube-shaped or cuboidal solid body composed, for example, of foam material. The core 3 has four boundary surfaces 4 as sidewalls. The boundary surfaces 4 are arranged in a manner parallel and adjacent to in each case one inner side 6 of the second hollow profile 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an adhesive 5 is introduced between the core 3 and the inner sides 6 of the second hollow profile 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second hollow profile 2 is then arranged or otherwise inserted, pushed or placed into the region filled with adhesive 5 as far as the cover or base 7. The base 7 acts as a stop, such that in each case both sides of the walls of the second hollow profile 2 are surrounded by adhesive.

A function of the core 3 is to form the inner termination of the adhesive bath. Furthermore, on account of the core 3, the adhesive 5 swells upwardly or up to or over the upper edge of the ends of the hollow profile 1 as a result of the hollow profile 2 being pushed into the hollow profile 1, with the result that it is possible to check that sufficient adhesive 5 was present and/or that the adhesive 5 has also been distributed over the entire connecting surface.

The core 3 may be secured mechanically to the cover or base 7 via, for example, a centring screw 9. The centring screw 9 may also be removed after adhesive bonding. Thus, the core 3 may be fixed to the cover 7 of the first hollow profile 1 by the centring screw 9 only during the adhesive bonding, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, alternatively or in addition, the core 3 may also be formed such that it has a collar 8, which is clamped with a slight oversize into the first hollow profile 1. In this way, on account of the inner walls of the first hollow profile 1, the collar 10 and the boundary surfaces 4 of the core 3, a space is again created for an adhesive filling, and so the hollow profile 2 to be secured may be dipped into the adhesive bath. A hole 10 in the second hollow profile 2 allows adhesive 5 to pass through for improved holding of the second hollow profile 2.

The term “coupled” or “connected” may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad techniques of the embodiments may be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 First hollow profile

2 Second hollow profile

3 Core

4 Boundary surface of the core

5 Adhesive

6 Inner side of the second hollow profile

7 Cover or base

8 Collar

9 Centring screw

10 Hole 

What is claimed is:
 1. A joint connection, comprising: a first hollow profile; a second hollow profile surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region thereof; a core arranged within the first hollow profile and the second hollow profile in the overlapping region, and connected to the first hollow profile, the core having at least one boundary surface arranged parallel and adjacent to an inner side of the second hollow profile, wherein the core is connected to the inner side of the second hollow profile via an adhesive.
 2. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein: the core has a plurality of boundary surfaces arranged opposite to a corresponding plurality of inner sides of the second hollow profile; and the adhesive is arranged between the core and the opposite inner sides of the second hollow profile.
 3. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein: the core has a plurality of boundary surfaces arranged opposite to all of the inner sides of the second hollow profile; and the adhesive is arranged between the core and the opposite inner sides of the second hollow profile.
 4. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein the core comprises a solid body.
 5. The joint connection of claim 4, wherein the solid body comprises a foam material which expands under in response to heat to acoustically insulate the joint connection of the first and second hollow profiles.
 6. The joint connection of claim 4, wherein the solid body comprises a metal.
 7. The joint connection of claim 6, wherein the metal comprises aluminium.
 8. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein the core forms an inner termination of an adhesive bath.
 9. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein the core comprises a blow-moulded component to acoustically insulate the joint connection of the first and second hollow profiles.
 10. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein the core comprises one of a cuboidal, cube-shaped and cylindrical cross-section.
 11. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein the first hollow profile has a base which is connected to the core.
 12. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein the base is mechanically connected to the core.
 13. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein the core has a collar which is clamped into the first hollow profile.
 14. The joint connection of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is arranged between an outer side of the second hollow profile and an inner side of the first hollow profile.
 15. A joint connection, comprising: a first hollow profile having a base extending perpendicular to sidewalls of the first hollow profile; a second hollow profile surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region thereof; a core arranged within the first hollow profile and the second hollow profile in the overlapping region, and connected to the base, the core having at least one boundary surface arranged parallel and adjacent to an inner side of the second hollow profile and a collar which is clamped into the first hollow profile, wherein the core is connected to the inner side of the second hollow profile via an adhesive.
 16. The joint connection of claim 15, wherein: the core has a plurality of boundary surfaces arranged opposite to a corresponding plurality of inner sides of the second hollow profile; and the adhesive is arranged between the core and the opposite inner sides of the second hollow profile.
 17. The joint connection of claim 15, wherein the core comprises a solid body which acoustically insulates the joint connection of the first and second hollow profiles.
 18. The joint connection of claim 15, wherein the core forms an inner termination of an adhesive bath.
 19. The joint connection of claim 15, wherein the adhesive is arranged between an outer side of the second hollow profile and an inner side of the first hollow profile.
 20. A method for producing a joint connection, comprising: arranging a core within a first hollow profile at an overlapping region, and at least temporarily connecting the core to the first hollow profile; arranging an adhesive between the core and an inner side of the first hollow profile; inserting a second hollow profile between the first hollow profile and the core such that the second hollow profile contacts the adhesive, is surrounded by the first hollow profile in an overlapping region thereof, at least one boundary surface of the core is arranged parallel and adjacent to an inner side of the second hollow profile, and the core is connected to the inner side of the second hollow profile via an adhesive. 